Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Community Infrastructure - Directorship of the Centre for Indigenous Community Infrastructure

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Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD):

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Ottawa invites applications for a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Indigenous Community Infrastructure, who will also serve as Director of the Centre for Indigenous Community Infrastructure, and be appointed as a tenured professor in the Department of Civil Engineering. We seek an accomplished Indigenous scholar with demonstrated leadership in advancing civil infrastructure systems that address the needs of Indigenous and remote communities, and who brings a proven ability to build meaningful, sustained, and respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities. The Centre plays a central role in building relationships, supporting workforce development, fostering an Indigenous infrastructure innovation ecosystem, and advancing knowledge exchange across sectors.

This position reflects a strategic commitment to advancing reconciliation and strengthening Indigenous leadership in engineering research and education. Indigenous communities continue to face critical infrastructure challenges, including in housing, water and wastewater systems, transportation, energy, and climate resilience. In this context, the Director will lead the Centre’s core activities in collaborative research, training, and community engagement, while strengthening and expanding partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations. They will also guide interdisciplinary initiatives across priority areas such as water, housing, energy systems, climate adaptation, and infrastructure in remote regions. Through this work, the Chairholder and Director will play a nationally significant role by advancing impactful research, fostering meaningful partnerships, and training highly qualified personnel.

The successful candidate will:

• Direct the Centre for Indigenous Community Infrastructure

• Develop and lead a high-impact, externally funded research program

• Build and sustain trust-based, long-term partnerships with Indigenous communities

• Advance community-driven, culturally grounded, and technically rigorous infrastructure solutions

• Strengthen and expand CICI’s national and international profile

• Contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching

• Supervise graduate students and trainees

• Participate in academic, institutional, and community service

The CRC will lead an interdisciplinary research program grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems and community priorities, addressing key domains such as:

• Sustainable water and wastewater systems

• Climate-resilient and culturally appropriate housing

• Sustainable materials and construction technologies

• Sustainable mining and waste management

• Transportation systems for northern and remote communities

• Clean and sustainable energy systems

• Climate change adaptation and infrastructure resilience

The program will generate holistic, implementable solutions that can be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained by Indigenous communities, contributing to long-term resilience, autonomy, and self-determination.

The Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Ottawa supports a broad range of research strengths, including geotechnical, structural, water resources, and environmental engineering, along with civil engineering materials and construction management, all supported by state-of-the-art engineering laboratories. Within this ecosystem, and housed in the Department, the Centre for Indigenous Community Infrastructure (CICI) stands out as one of the few interdisciplinary engineering research centres in Canada dedicated to sustainable infrastructure solutions for Indigenous communities.

The University of Ottawa is located on the unceded ancestral territory of the Algonquin people in the heart of the nation's capital. It is one of Canada's top ten research-intensive universities and the largest bilingual English/French university in the world. It is recognized as the first and largest bilingual university in North America and offers strong connections to organizational, government, and policy interest holders. The Faculty of Engineering provides a learning environment that promotes excellence and innovation, with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurial design.

• Demonstrated record of research excellence with publications in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.

• Proven or strong potential to secure external competitive research funding.

• Demonstrated experience in collaborative work with Indigenous communities (strong asset).

• Evidence of leadership and/or administrative experience in academic, research, or community-based settings.

• Lived experience in an Indigenous community with sustained engagement (strongly preferred).

• Ability to communicate effectively in English or French.

The selection process will begin immediately after the closing date and will continue until the position is filled. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please address your cover letter to the following person:

Dr. Julie St-Pierre, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, University of Ottawa

550 Cumberland St., room 246 Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 CANADA

For questions, please email: chaires_chairs@uottawa.ca.

Ad posted on June 29, 2026

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff, and faculty. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minorities members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups are asked to complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire, to be completed at the time of application.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada

The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by contacting the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations by email at vra.affairesprofessorales@uottawa.ca. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.